Anoto has announced that the maternity department of University Hospital of Wales, part of Cardiff & Vale University Health Board, is using its digital pen technology to record results of foetal fibronectin (FFN) tests and digitise test results to reduce time spend on administration and ensure the hospital has digital records of test results.
We felt that we needed something that would allow us to keep both the paper record and have the information stored digitally as well, so that we had a record of the test results on a computer system once it was written in the handheld notes
Previously, University Hospital of Wales maternity services recorded FFN test information and results using handwritten notes, which would then be manually entered into three different records; the department records, the mother’s hospital records, and to the handheld notes held by the mother. This resulted in delays in getting the information entered into systems and also led to instances of lost information. If the handheld notes were lost or forgotten at the time of labour, midwives would have no other way of accessing all the necessary information they needed for a delivery.
“Previously, we had three separate records where we needed to record the test results,” said Abigail Holmes, consultant midwife at University Hospital Wales.
“We felt that we needed something that would allow us to keep both the paper record and have the information stored digitally as well, so that we had a record of the test results on a computer system once it was written in the handheld notes. Anoto’s digital writing technology was ideal for this purpose as it allowed us to carry on using a familiar workflow, but at the same time removed the need to re-enter data into different systems.”
The test is usually carried out on mothers that are showing symptoms of pre-term labour between 24 and 34 weeks of pregnancy. The test is designed to help for a more accurate diagnosis in cases where pre-term labour is suspected. In case of a positive FFN test, midwives are able to administer medications that can potentially stall pre-term labour.
“The testing is essential in cases where premature labour is suspected or a mother has previously delivered a baby prematurely,” Holmes explained.
The testing allows us to take necessary steps to ensure that the baby has the best chances to survive after a premature delivery
“The testing allows us to take necessary steps to ensure that the baby has the best chances to survive after a premature delivery. The test allows us to provide the mother and baby with necessary medication.”
Since deploying Anoto’s digital writing technology, University Hospital Wales has been able to significantly reduce the triplication of data as well as make the information available to midwives in an electronic format at all times.
“The digital pen technology has allowed us to record the information both in writing and in an electronic format, meaning that we don’t have to record the information multiple times, which is a huge time saver for us,” Holmes said.
“Additionally, in the cases where handheld notes containing the test result are lost or forgotten, midwives will have access to the information in an electronic format, ensuring that during labour all the information is available to them, on paper and digitally.”
“Digital writing technology is an ideal technology that can be used to significantly reduce administrative burdens,” added Richard Sargent, project delivery director at Anoto.
“Not only does digital writing free more time for patient care, but it also enables hospitals to have a digital record of all patient-related notes and tests readily available in cases where paper-based notes could potentially be misplaced. In the FFN testing, digital writing technology has allowed the team at University Hospital of Wales to reduce administrative time whilst keeping to the existing workflow.”
